Preparing Your Home for Summer Vacation

Have you ever left for vacation with a nagging doubt that you were forgetting something? Maybe you can't remember if you left the answering machine on, or if you remembered to throw out that open carton of milk in the refrigerator. Or maybe you don't remember if you gave your neighbor the key to check on your plants while you were away.

To make sure that your home will be in the same shape that you left it when you return from vacation, we have prepared some helpful hints for leaving your home alone. After all, for many people, leaving home behind is what vacation is all about.

Here's a list to get you started.

• Arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspaper and parcels, or have the post office hold delivery until you return
• Stop daily and weekly newspapers.
• Arrange for lawn service.
• Arrange for pet care.
• Check your alarm system and notify the companies that monitor your fire and burglar alarms.
• Notify your local police department. In many communities they will periodically patrol your neighborhood and the area around your home and check windows and doors.
• Cut shrubs below window level and trim trees away from your house.
• Check your outdoor sprinkler system.
• Stop all routine delivery services such as groceries.
• Purchase light timers/check operation.
• Arrange for final trash pickup.
• Leave a key, itinerary, alarm code and phone number with a trustworthy neighbor. (You may also want to tell the neighbor how to turn off your sprinkler system if your town institutes a water ban and you run your system off town water. Otherwise you could be faced with heavy fines and angry neighbors.)

• Flush toilets.
• Run dishwasher.
• Set thermostats higher than normal if you run air conditioning. Don't turn off A/C or you may have mold problems if you are in a high humidity area.
• Unplug nonessential electrical appliances.
• Turn off water to washing machine and toilets.
• Set timers and lights around the house. Set several to switch on and off at different times of the day/night and at various intervals.
• Check window locks.
• Toss refrigerated items that may spoil while you are away.
• Make sure trash is out of the house.
• Unhook electric garage door openers and manually lock.
• Set alarm.
• Lock doors including deadbolt locks.
• Leave answering machine turned on.

Careful planning can help you protect your home and belongings while you are away, giving you the added peace of mind to relax and enjoy your vacation.